KevinWaldron

Mark, Thank you....... understand now..... kevin

Mark, For my own knowledge.....As one who has several business interest and using a multitude of software.....Are you guys using Chief to produce layouts/3D views only? Most people that I know are trying to use 2020 for manufacturing cabinets/closet components etc.? (CNC ready files, nesting etc.) What I see in the cabinet industry is the need for easy to use full capability manufacturing software....... not just layouts/3D views. I'd be interested in knowing what you are doing...... .Programs like Mojaik, Cabinet Vision, KCD and others are still the solution for most cabinet companies unless I'm missing something.....The market tells you this..... as far as volume of clients.... I would like to know...... not trying to fuss or argue just interested for my own knowledge as we have a business where we use CNC's and manufacture componets etc.

My original statement still holds......... controls need to conform to the majority of other CAD programs .......... still implemented poorly in CA! Showing another Cad program controls that are built into the Cad program and the standard 3D Connexion interface.......( been using the 3D mouse for 5 years.......on 4 other programs......so I'm quite proficient with it.....)

Graeme, If you use Yahoo.com mail....... it has features that automatically move your files to Dropbox when beyond the normal size files accepted...(usually 20-25 max) program will ask for your permission and sends a link to the recipient. Scott, I might also consider a good Database .... if you where using Microsoft...... Access would be what I might recommend........ although I think Mac can now use Access. Much more muscle with a true database. SQL database would be the ultimate.....Bluebeam is a good program and may offer what you need.......

FormZ 8.5 better suited for this kind of drawing and rendering....

Jonathan... The original point I made was that you are so limited with the ability to import or export 3D dwg files......... GPS points can have XYZ coordinates but would you consider this 3D data in and of itself a 3D drawing? ....... This is so limited as far as what you can do with the points and the terrain data as compared to other software...... you can't draw curves between points, drape, loft, blend, fillet, extrude surface extend surface, fillet, smash, tween and the list goes on....... kw Enclosing a file that was originally drawn in Chief then exported as a 3D model from Chief....... the elevation draws great but look how much of the actual information needed for a true 3D file is missing.......( Rhinoceros is the program running the DWG file) Same thing occurs on an import.......much of the data is truncated or you can't import file as one might need..

Jonathan...... since you brought it up....... This is an example from Turbocad Advertisement for their Civil add on......... It would or could be a DWG file........ Chief can't import this terrain data as shown although it is a 3D DWG file....... kw

Joe, Not to argue but............ the problem is not that DWG format can't produce 3D files.......... it is the fact that Chief can't import a true 3D house or many other items from DWG files even if an outside program is capable of producing the necessary components and files to make a true 3D object. Many programs are..... personally don't think this is the best format for 3D work.....but many programs that produce and use DWG are capable of much more than 2D files...... In my opinion much of the problem is that Chief is using outside faces for 3D representation in many areas......... example would be cabinets...... they are not made up of individual components like a program like Cabinet Vision would make...... but primarily four sided faces or solids not necessarily actual parts..... they are more times than not.....representation of parts or whole items ... a facade if you will ....the representation serves the purpose most of the time but fails in many area's to make a 3D object that could be used by a a CAM program or a 3D printer to actually make the part, whole, or component. Original Post Best to probably stay in a DWG program and import your symbols from another 3D source and make new blocks in the Cad program. kw

Try this program if you need this kind of capability.....we purchased and use very often.......incredible what you can actually do...... http://www.simlab-soft.com/3d-products/simlab-composer-main.aspx (To my remembrance you were using things like Solidworks/Catia........ why not convert to a 3ds or 3dwg and use the files in your solid modeling software.) kevin

Better served in my humble opinion using another program. Something like Simlab Composer Pro .... it would be much faster and easier and would look more realistic. kevin

Hate to keep kicking but........ just another case where not enough tools to do basic 3D things..... much less something more complicated....

Leave you guys with this since I started this thread 1) Chief could solve a number of problems for me if all screens/clips/ where WYSIWYG and live at all times....... and allow use of the Space Mouse as the builders intended 2) Allow access for third party software to offer options using the database and add -on's ( cabinet programs with CNC ready parts/pieces, structural programs, COGO Programs, Map Programs , Estimating Programs, Rendering Programs etc. for examples) 3) Allow more import / export options (for instance 3D PDF's both import and export, use of programs like Simlab Composer ..... true 3D models like STP, IGES, 3DM, being an example..... and at the same time allow more input as to dynamic 3D objects and XYZ coordinates .... there are many great 3D models available but we are limited with what we can import ) 4) Make more intentional effort to follow current International Building Codes ( and/or other National and International Codes) in regards to framing, stairs, windows, etc..... (example would be spring closer on garage door to house or Glue Lam for Garage door header and other major changes that seem to occur yearly. Software should automatically ask or place these items.......) I'm not unhappy using other programs for doing various detail operations and not necessarily asking Chief to incorporate these... .... the frustration comes in being limited as to what I can import/export into Chief. One example is stairs this could be done in other 3D programs much easier than the current configuration with-in Chief..... either fix it or allow imports..... Period......... Also things like trusting that Chief will keep us out of trouble with codes...... Good example that Chief does is placing a toilet.....it just want put it in a space that will not work according to code unless we override it. Blessings, and thank you for at least kicking this around.... kevin

Graham, Don't have an axe to grind...... just frustrated when we have to go backwards in skill sets......... example would be the SpaceMouse..... been using it for more than 5 years and it works great in all the other Cad/Cam programs we use....... go to use it in Chief and it is really sad the way they have implemented the program.....(for those that have a SM use Sketchup for and example and you will see just some of what is missing). Another example is the 3D solid tools that we have available.....4-6 tools in Chief...... after using programs with 25+ tools.........for accomplishing relatively simple 3D drawing task. Enclosing some of what we do in a couple of our other business's for an example of why we might be frustrated.......... we wouldn't expect Chief to necessarily have the tool sets that the other programs offer but surely they can do much better! kevin

I appreciate all your comments and for sure think that we all need to make a profit. We are all forced to make balancing acts of time, energy and money to achieve various goals. I'm only requesting that you have an open mind to change.... Many of the users of Chief are so ingrained in the way things are done in Chief that they are unwilling to consider other alternatives. Some area's that I'd like to see great improvements appear. 1)Plot plans Surveying units and radius's and topological points are one of the areas that is in great need of change and upgrades..... Many programs can blanket topo's data like a sheet/drape and produce accurate representations of many survey points quickly and accurately at any give depth or Z height quickly and accurately. 2)3D solid modeling tools are long over due for new tools and upgrades. Adding Mesh manipulation with various tools should also be included.Twist, Blend, Boolean,Taper, Stretch, Flow along a curve, Flow along a surface 3)Layers in my opinion is another area where more options and flexibility are needed....... annotations sets and layer sets are great but limited in so many ways. 4)Text manipulation and scaling is in great need of upgrades 5) Database access is a must not only for users but also for 3rd party programs that could open direct access to Chief and open new programs that would aid in all kinds of area's 6) More adherence to code standards in regards to framing and other fields etc....... several more but enough I realize each of us could produce a list of wanted changes.......and we each have an opinion...... I'd truly wish that all of you would download several of the more popular trial Cad programs just to get a taste of what could be.......then maybe changes would and could be made with more than my voice being heard. kevin

I'd like to make an observation that I find that is happening over and over in many of the threads that appear in this forum. (I'm dyslexic so forgive my writing communication skills) What I have observed is that someone presents a problem and more times than not a work around solution is found. That is great ...... or is it? We all know that you can build a house with a hand saw and a hammer but given the other tools that are in the market place is this really the best use of our time, energy and effort? I own a number of other business that use other Cad and Cam systems that are on the market and find a very extensive array of programs and tools that are far superior in speed and productivity for many of the common task that we are now required or asked to do in Chief. The other day I looked at a topic that basically was an old fashion door knob and several of you guys went through showing how to make this in Chief and yes, it could be done but the work around was to my way of thinking ridiculous....... 3D solid's and the crude tools that are actually present within Chief...... almost hilarious ......today saw a topic about a trapezoid style window and again a work around. Other day I mentioned the joist tool and was told about the video's showing "How To" but again I still hold to what I stated that much of what we have to use in Chief is slow and antiquated technology! Another example is the Space Mouse...... they have now offered this ........ but the implementation is so crude it's really sad....... given how great a piece of technology this product is. If power users continue to show work a round's and don't request or demand more there is no incentive for the owner of Chief to have to offer more. I realize life will never be perfect and that some trade off is necessary. Chief being a small niche market in the overall scheme of things also effect what they can and they will do in the way of design and develop. Given cost and profit. My problem is that if you power users keep telling them or showing management that everything is OK........ but Where is Chief's incentive to make real strides in newer technology if you guys keep saying everything is just fine! You can cross the Atlantic to England in a row boat given the right circumstances..........but? I'm not trying to offend anyone but truly think that many of you guys need to check out what is really happening around in the world of CAD/CAM/3D Printing etc....... take a serious open minded look at some of the software that is being used in other CAD disciplines and tell me you are satisfied with what we are being offered........ Demand Little.......... Little Will Be Offered! My opinion and I know we all have one. kevin

Personally find the joist tool not very useful. One should be able to give direction of joist for various floors and rooms, change joist sizes or engineer materials quickly....... For instance room/floor should have joist running front to back or from side to side often times mixed. One should also be able to specify the use and placement of LVL's ............. in the system...... in line with joist, below joist as a beam or on top as a beam with hangers etc.......... Yes, I know you can draw all this in using P-lines/Solids....... but not very useful in calculating materials. Lessons could be used from programs like CadPlus Estimator or PlanSwift they are designed to draw and calculate materials quickly. Also woudl be nice to be able to integrate information from programs like StruCalc and others directly. For sure more tools should be available to make this easier! kevin

Just looked at these in TurboCad and re-saved....... then imported into Chief...... fairly close...... hatch patterns will need to be changed from solid to whatever ....... Hope this helps...... kevin Final DetailHelp.plan

Ian, Not sure your correct in all your statements concerning what is exported at least from our experience. Line types do stay for the most part..... dashed, dotted etc. Pattern area's are also exported as a whole...... (if the pattern comes in black usually just means scale of pattern needs to be adjusted). Text remains justified and Rich Text Exports. We never export from Layout other than as a PDF. Blessings, kevin

CorelDraw allows one to embed fonts......... be nice if Chief would consider doing this........ the fact that one company does it means it is possible........ The save option allows you to do this, it even tell you how big the Embed font file will be.

3D Mouse......... The controls for the 3D mouse still work backwards from all other Cad software that uses the mouse. Move to the left on the Control...... mouse view should go to the left instead it goes to the right move control to the left house moves to the right........ pull the control out and it should zoom larger........ Chief zooms smaller...........( Sketchup 2016, Rhinoceros 5, Autocad 2015, Solidworks, FormZ 8.5, Turbocad 2016 all move correctly............ and yes you can in the 3D Connexion ......Home reverse the Navigation but then if you are using other programs that use the correct orientation at the same time all the others are wrong......) If 3D mouse is to be viable....... you guys either need to get on board with other software or allow changes with-in preferences. kevin

Guys, I'm a long time user of the Spacemouse (4+years) and have several Spacemouse Pros........... Question? Are there any controls within the Chief program for setting the Spacemouse like other software has...(I know I can do this with the 3DConnecion software.... reverse things etc.)......... for instance my mouse on all other software Rhinoceros, FormZ8, Autocad, Turbocad, CorelCad, Sketchup, Solidworks etc......... if your in 3D view if you twist to the left 3D views go to the left ... all these other programs work the same......... but not in Chief...... it goes to the right. Work other programs at the same time as Chief they will all go to the left but Chief goes to the right........ sure I can reverse the 3D connection but then all the other programs are wrong. Controls also work faster than they should if you set them in center position....... other programs work correctly running at the same time.......2D works just as backwards as the other programs use........(Other programs have setup for the Spacemouse with controls setting within the program not the master setup provided by 3DConnexion or there are specific drivers for the programs) Just noticed if you manage to move your house off the screen in Perspective Full Overview with the 3D mouse the zoom all/extents want bring the house back into view...... only way to do this is close window and do another Perspective Full Overview. From my standpoint at the present 3D mouse is useless......... unless I've just missed something....... Please help. kevin

If we were able to control where items where and what they were called on say a wall then we could do many things if CA allowed for sub-layer sets upon sub-layer sets......... Enclosing a Rhinoceros window of the layers board........ Note how I have added Walls as the Major layer, Then I have placed Basement, Crawl Space, Floor 1, etc......... all at the next layer level and beyond..... From Floor 1 I have made a Sub-layer Called Outside, Inside etc...... Note how you can turn any level off or lock that level. Click Walls and all the lower levels hide, Hide Floor 1 only and everything under this layer is hidden from on screen....... other layers still show........ Look closely at what we could do with Layer Sets then... Kevin